With the fifth largest economy in the world and nearly 40 million residents, California’s policies often have rippling effects far beyond its state borders, especially in the realms of environment, energy, and technology. So what’s it like being an ecologist-turned-policy staffer wading into the dynamic ecosystem that is the California state government?

The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. CCST engages leading experts in science and technology to advise state policymakers ― ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation. Find CCST on Facebook at facebook.com/ccstorg, on Twitter @CCSTorg, and on LinkedIn. Discover how CCST makes California’s policies stronger with science at www.ccst.us, and join us in celebrating #CCST30th.